Think no more of it, I beg. We shall meet at
the little festival. Au revoir!"

Hanbury went his way with all his spirits,
soul, heart, everything bounding and springing
within him. He hurried tumultuous to the
Manuels. He found them in confusion. Violet
and her confidential maid were out. She was
almost, Hanbury found out, in a sort of light
fever; for the crisis was now coming on. Her
sister had noted even a little wildness. She was
wrought up to the highest pitch, for she had
given out, as it were by proclamation, that this
night was to end the whole—to bring everything
to a splendid issue. By this charm she
had with difficulty laid that sleeping lion, her
brother.

Hanbury, roaming about the little town, soon
lighted on her. He came up to her shyly, yet
exuberantly. She welcomed him according to
her new tactics; led him about as her escort
to many shops, and chattered all the while—all
the while, too, looking eagerly round to the
right and left for spectators. These she soon
found. For Young Brett passed by, and looked
after them, wondering; and Major Carter passed
by, also wondering; before whom Hanbury drew
himself up with pride. But Fermor, who was
most desired, did not see that little progress.

He had paced his room a great deal that night.
He was now feeling the monotony of desertion.
He had no excitement to keep him up. "To
be wasting in this place," he thought; "and a
life like mine, by my own stupid folly, to be flung
away." Rarely, indeed, in his life had Fertmor
made so honest a confession of incapacity.

It was coming to four o'clock, and darkening
gradually. Post came about five. He had bade
his man, Mr. Bates, be sure to go down before
the time and fetch his letters. "Of course there
will be no letters," he said, "because I want
them. I suppose they think, now, I am not
worth writing to."

By-and-by dropped in Young Brett, who, on
the mention of Violet, or her "little party,"
told eagerly how he had just met her "with that
fellow Hanbury." He remarked that that
gentleman was plucking up wonderfully. He
wondered what he (Hanbury) "was at" in "hanging
about" in this way.

"I know," said Fermor, starting up and
beginning to pace the room. "I understand it.
It's no matter now, but it will come right in
time."

Some little friendliness on Young Brett's part
being repelled rather roughly, that youth went
away scared. "We shall meet to-night," he said,
as a farewell.

"Well!" said the other, "I suppose we shall.
"We meet now, and may meet to-morrow. There
is no need of telling each other of such good
news."

"No! no! of course," said poor Brett,
colouring.

Later came Major Carter.

"I met your friend Hanbury in great spirits."

"I suppose," said Fermor, "in Miss Violet's
company. "What is the meaning of this?" he
added, violently. "Do they want to set me up
for the whole town to laugh at? It is outrageous.
People coming in here every minute telling me
what they see. All Fermor's injuries came
rushing on him. "I'm not to be played on in
this fashion. To be talked of by the low tea-table
gossips of a low place like this. How dare
they attempt to be playing these petty tricks
on me! I tell you what, Carter; I have a good
mind to give the whole tribe a lesson."

"No, no," said the major; "I acquit her—
she is too much of a child, too quiet and
harmless."

"Who mentioned her, pray;" said Fermor
becoming calm. "Did I? Then, pray don't
say so. Too much of a child! There's a nice
alliance for a man that might rise in the world.
A man that at this moment might be high in
India, and talked of. I declare, Carter, I
could sit and cry when I think of all I have
lost and been obliged to give up, and for
such a set. You know what I am, and what
is in me. Isn't it a cruel thing? And Sir
Hopkins knows, yet I must say has behaved
nobly; but what could he do? 'A child,' and
'perfectly harmless,' in India! And after all this,
to dare to be playing their wretched little game
upon me."

This was a tremendous burst for Fermor.

"I must say," said the major, calmly, "their
proceedings are quite beyond me. It is a game,
I tell you candidly. I have reason to know it."

"You have?" said Fermor, eagerly; "show it
to me. Prove it."

The major shook his head. "I can only say,"
he said, "that I met that very Mr. Hanbury
with, as you say, Miss Violet Manuel—and had
a little talk with him previously."

"He was in spirits," said Fermor.

"How did you know that?" said the major
astonished. "So he was. He threw out some
hints. You know he is rather of an open nature.
By the way, he seemed to hint at a sort of
justification of himself, as he said you had used
him very ill."

"I suppose so," said Fermor. "What is
he aggrieved about? Good gracious, is not this
a free country? Who forces her, or who is
forcing? If they want him, let them take him,
in God's name. Let her say so at once, and
let them have done with these wretched tricks.
I'm sick of them."

This was the irritation of, say, a month back,
all burst forth at one moment. The major
paused. "I am glad you have spoken to
me so frankly," said he. "I should advise
some decided course. A clear, final, and positive
explanation. I shall come here again, late if
you will allow me."

The major was gone, the darkness was coming
on yet stronger. It was past five o'clock, and
here now was his man, Bates, entering with
the lamp, and the post. Absolutely a whole
mail of letters for Captain Fermor. "And
here, sir," added Bates, "is a letter as was just
left by Miss Manuel's maid." The demeanour
of Miss Manuel's maid, had she to make such